To accommodate a growing influx of larger vessels, the Municipal Council of Klaksvík plans to boost port capacity by doubling the 300-meter North Harbour quay as well as dredging the basin and repairing facilities at the West Harbour.
The Port of Klaksvík, a main hub of the Faroese fish industry, is looking to enlarge its quay at the deepwater North Harbour. According to mayor Karl Johansen, an upgrade of port facilities is underway that involves a 300-meter extension of the North Harbour quay; also, certain areas of the West Harbour basin will be dredged and repairs and maintenance carried out on some of the older docks there.
As per harbormaster Jógvan á Lakjuni, locally-registered vessels tend to be of a larger size today compared to earlier, while at the same time a similar trend is spotted more broadly with regard to ship calls at the North Harbour.
“We need to do something to raise our capacity,” Mr. á Lakjuni noted. “Compared to earlier, it’s more often necessary to have vessels moved around because of limited space, especially when it comes to ships with a deeper draft.”
The harbormaster added that the issue is considered a serious one but that, on the other hand, the general understanding is that it can be resolved relatively quickly and with a good return on the investment.
His boss, the mayor, seems to agree. “We have worked out a plan to lengthen the North Harbour quay,” Mr. Johansen said.
“This plan has been underway for a while and we’ve received clearance from the Environment Agency to proceed with an extension of that quay by 300 meters, which will double the docking space at the North Harbour. As for landfill material, we’ve got an agreement in place with Landsverk [the Faroese road authority] to use rocks from the newly completed Arnafjord and Hvannasund tunnels.”
“In other words, construction work can get underway as soon as the project has been cleared by the Council,” mayor Johansen added.
The harbor development plan is also perceived in the context of recent upgrades of port facilities elsewhere in the Faroe Islands, notably Runavík and Fuglafjørður, not to mention Tórshavn. “In a way this is about catching up,” Mr. Johansen said.
“The port is a vital asset and a top priority for Klaksvík and we need to make sure that we stay strong in the business. I believe we’ll be able to implement this project without much delay—after all, it represents a critical step in the ongoing development of the Port of Klaksvík.”
Attracting more
In other news, the fish business alongside associated services appears to be thriving in Klaksvík, a.k.a. the ‘Fishing Capital of the Faroe Islands.’ The Faroese white fish industry has its largest base here, and the pelagic business has a very significant presence, too.
Two major fishing companies are headquartered in Klaksvík, JFK and CIG, plus several smaller ones plus a host of service providers and suppliers, including manufacturers of equipment and accessories for the seafood trade. The aquaculture business is also well established in Klaksvík with salmon farming major Bakkafrost operating fish farms in the bay as well as two large hatcheries on shore near Klaksvík.
Klaksvík has long been well known for its tradition of business and trade, especially as related to fisheries and seafood.
At the same time, the town has lately become more metropolitan, propelled by developments such as the giant subsea tunnel that opened just about twenty years ago, integrating Klaksvík with the Faroese Mainland, as well as more recent developments, including the Biskupstorg downtown area, for example.
With tourism rising sharply, meanwhile, a brand new hotel, the KG Hotel, located at the Biskupstorg, opened for business a couple of months ago. The local sports hall has also been renovated, not least as a venue for large indoor gatherings and business events such as exhibitions and trade shows, for instance the Atlantic Fair. Also, a major arts and cultural venue, Varpið, opened in 2022.
Back at the North Harbour, cruise ships will be accommodated more effectively with the planned dock extension, Mr. Johansen pointed out.
“Our port is receiving a growing number of ship calls from large vessels,” he said.
“We are primarily talking about fishing vessels and cargo vessels, but also cruise ships. Overall, tourism is becoming a more important contributor to the local and regional economy; the fact that our hospitality sector is growing further underpins this. We are attracting more people in more than one sense—people choose to live and work here, and we see more and more visitors, both foreigners and people from elsewhere in the Faroes.”
